10 Fights to Watch for February
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While finding quality MMA in January might have been a tough task, February should feel like a preschool Easter egg hunt. Though the shortest month of the year, it’s absolutely stacked with major cards. Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator MMA both have four cards each, including the Scott Coker led promotion holding back to back cards at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. One Championship, Absolute Championship Akhmat, and Invicta Fighting Championships all have cards too.
There were so many great fights that were considered for this list
which were left off due to restricting this to only 10 scraps. Due
to that, I attempted to focus on fights that might be flying under
the radar and receiving a lack of media coverage than those making
all the headlines. Chances are you don’t need to be told here to
watch a UFC title fight.
So, let’s check out 10 fights that make February a wonderful month to be a fan of MMA.
Rani Yahya vs. Ricky Simon
UFC 234
Feb. 9.
Melbourne, Australia
Since March 2016, Rani Yahya and Ricky Simon have a combined record of 12-1 and are two of the hottest fighters in the UFC bantamweight division.
The 34-year-old Yahya sports an impressive 11-3 record inside the Octagon and is riding a three-fight winning streak. The former ADCC champion is a grappling wizard, who has the ability to end a fight with some of the slickest submissions in the game. Though he has been fighting professionally since 2012, the Brazilian has never looked any better than he does right now.
Simon is one of the most intriguing young fighters to come out of the Pacific Northwest. The Gracie Barra Portland product picked up a win on the Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series and was an Legacy Fighting Alliance champion. Since joining the UFC he’s a perfect 3-0, though his win over Merab Dvalishvili was highly controversial. In his last bout, he systematically picked apart Montel Jackson with his superior wrestling game.
This matchup is a fantastic stylistic clash. Simon will have to use his strong wrestling to keep this fight standing to avoid Yahya’s submissions, while the Brazilian will have to use his experience to overcome the youth and athleticism of his opponent.
Marcin Held vs. Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov
ACA 92
Feb. 15.
Warsaw, Poland
* Editor's note: This fight was scratched on Wednesday morning after Held pulled out with an injury.
Though Marcin Held had a disappointing run in the UFC with a 1-3 record, he has had a really good run outside of the premier MMA organization. The former Bellator season 10 tournament winner has picked up three wins in a row including his last UFC bout, a decision win over Nasrat Haqparast. The BJJ specialist has been categorized as being a one-dimensional grappler but is so dynamic in that realm that he still finds ways to win.
Held’s opponent, Abdulvakhabov, is the former ACA lightweight champion. The Russian fighter was on an impressive 14 fight winning streak before it was snapped in his last bout. Abdulvakhabov lost the ACA title in a competitive fight against Ali Bagov. Abdulvakhabov isn’t dominant in a single aspect of the game like Held is in grappling but he’s competent everywhere. “Lion” loves to fight in the pocket where he throws a devastating right hand or mixes in takedowns.
Abdulvakhabov has all the tools to dominate this fight, but if he gives Held the slightest opening, he could find himself being forced to tap out.
Mike Kimbel vs. John Douma
Bellator 215
Feb. 15.
Uncasville, Connecticut
With Bellator holding back to back cards in Connecticut, we were bound to get a matchup pitting top New England fighters against each other. On the main card of Bellator 215, we get Connecticut going against Rhode Island with Mike Kimbel vs. John Douma.
Both Kimbel and Douma have taken opposite roads to get to this matchup. As an amateur, Kimbel had a mediocre record at 4-4. Since turning pro, Kimbel is undefeated with two highlight-reel knockouts under the Bellator umbrella, including tying the fastest KO in the organization's history in his last fight. An explosive athlete, he’s instantly received a promotional push due to exciting results.
Douma, on the other hand, had an impressive 5-2 amateur career. At 3-1 at a professional, Douma does not nearly circulate the same buzz around his name that Kimbel does. Other than hardcore fans in the northeast, most don’t know who Douma is. The former high school wrestler uses superior technique instead of athleticism to pick up victories.
Kimbel will continue to look to show why the Bellator brass believe in him so much, while Douma will try to ruin the party and show why he’s the New England thoroughbred they should have been backing.
Sean Brady vs. Tajuddin Abdul-Hakim
CFFC 72
Feb. 16
Atlantic City, New Jersey
The main event of CFFC 72 features a fight that could have served as a UFC prelim or at least on the DWTNCS. The two fighters competing in it, Sean Brady and Taj Abdul-Hakim have very impressive records.
Brady is widely considered to be a blue-chip prospect. He’s the current Cage Fury Fighting Championships champion with a perfect 9-0 record that includes a win over UFC veteran and former The Ultimate Fighter winner, Colton Smith. The BJJ black belt can really do it all as he has a heavy kicking game combined with powerful hands. He’s likely one more win away from a call up to a bigger promotion.
Abdul-Hakim holds an 8-1 professional record with his only loss coming to DWTNCS veteran, Sidney Outlaw. The New York-based fighter won the Ring of Combat welterweight title before joining CFFC. He’s a patient striker that prefers to stand on the outside before waiting for the perfect opportunity to spring at his opponent winging hard looping punches or stinging leg kicks. Abdul-Hakim has serious raw power with four knockout wins including a highlight reel spinning backfist knockout of Gregys Styles.
This fight seems like a UFC audition for both fighters, with the winner earning a bigger platform in the near future.
Paul Daley vs. Michael Page
Bellator 216
Feb. 16
Uncasville, Connecticut
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This fight isn’t flying under the radar, but I picked it regardless because it’s a fantastic style matchup. Many fans believe that Bellator had dropped the ball by having two British rivals fight in the small town of Uncasville, Connecticut instead of their home country of England. While probably true, it’s still exciting seeing these two brash rivals finally settle their differences.
Daley comes into this matchup with a big experience advantage over Page, having fought 58 fights instead of Page’s 13. The former professional kickboxer has struggled with strong grapplers but starched most that were willing to strike with him. The former Cage Rage world champion has an astounding 30 TKOs on his record.
Daley has welcomed fighters to slug it out with him on the feet, and he might get his wish with Page. The undefeated fighter has experience in professional boxing and kickboxing and will tower over Daley standing six inches taller.
Page is a dynamic striker. He dazzles fans with his pinpoint accuracy and precision. “MVP” doesn’t just knockout out his opponents, he embarrasses them with how nonchalant he is while doing so. Don’t be thrown off by his skinny frame as he has earth-shattering power in his strikes. He literally caved in Evangelista Santos’ skull with a perfectly timed knee back in July 2016.
James Vick vs. Paul Felder
UFC on ESPN 1
Feb. 17
Phoenix, Arizona
Calling the lightweight division stacked is a drastic understatement. The amount of top talent at 155 is absolutely ridiculous. The perfect example is looking at the resumes of James Vick and Paul Felder and realizing they aren’t even included (and rightfully so) in the Sherdog rankings.
Vick is 9-2 inside the top MMA promotion with wins over the likes of Marco Polo Reyes, Joseph Duffy and Francisco Trinaldo. The Team Lloyd Irvin product is a gigantic lightweight standing 6’3” with a 76” inch. He’s a good boxer who can strike from range or in the pocket. He also uses his long limbs to lock on a submission.
Felder is another example of a great combat sports athletes coming out of Philadelphia. The fighter turned commentator is a slick boxer with an underrated ground game. The “Irish Dragon” has stayed just outside the rankings due to consistency issues. Since joining the UFC, he has racked up a 7-4 record.
Felder is an aggressive striker, who fights well in the pocket and loves to work behind a stiff jab. He might be too tough for his own good though. He’s coming off a split decision loss to Mike Perry, where Felder took the fight on short notice while also moving up in weight. To make matters worse, Felder was forced to fight one-handed after suffering a broken arm during the bout.
Both fighters are coming off a loss and need to pick up a victory if they want to stay relevant in the division. Many times, when fighters have their backs pressed against the wall, they come out fighting desperately. Expect an exciting battle where both men leave it all in the cage.
Kron Gracie vs. Alex Caceres
UFC on ESPN 1
Feb 17.
Phoenix, Arizona
It is hard to categorize this fight as striker versus grappler because Alex Caceres has shown some good ability on the canvas. However, when compared to Kron Gracie on the mat, he appears to be an amateur.
With just four professional fights under his belt and not competing in over two years, the UFC is investing a lot into Gracie. The son of the legendary Rickson Gracie, he’s an elite grappler having won the 2013 ADCC tournament. He has grappling wins over MMA standouts Shinya Aoki, Beneil Dariush, Carlos Ferreira and Yan Cabral.
After setting his sights on MMA, he’s a perfect 4-0 in the sport with a submission win over Japanese legend Tatsuya Kawajiri. As shown during his bout against Kawajiri, Gracie isn’t scared to throw fisticuffs with his opponents.
Caceres has a huge experience advantage over Gracie with 26 professional fights under his belt including 19 of them inside the Octagon. The lengthy fighter loves to attack with spinning attacks and kicks. "Bruce Leeroy" currently holds a 9-9 record in the UFC and is hoping to use Gracie’s name to help springboard him back into other marquee matchups.
With the addition of Neiman Gracie having success in Bellator, we could be on the cusp of seeing a resurgence of the first family of MMA.
Amir Khan vs. Ariel Sexton
One Championship: Call to Greatness
Feb. 22
Kallang, Singapore
The quarterfinals of the One Championship lightweight (170-lbs) grand prix is in full swing. Arguably the most exciting matchup of the quarterfinals is between Amir Khan and Ariel Sexton.
Khan, who should not be confused with the professional boxer of the same name, is one of the most familiar faces in the One Championship organization with a record of 11-3 record under their banner. He will be looking to get back on the winning track after dropping a fight to Eduardo Folayang for the vacant title. The muay thai striker has big knockout power, which he sets up by continually switching stances to get different angles. However, you can’t overlook his ground skills, as he has powerful takedowns and has won four fights via submission or ground and pound.
Sexton is a fighter from Costa Rica. He was a contestant on season 12 of TUF but lost his fight to get into the fighter’s house. He lives up to his nickname “Tarzan,” as he fights like a mad man that is willing to take a punch to land one of his own haymakers. The Renzo Gracie Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is an opportunistic grappler, who looks for submissions in all positions. He’s won four out of his last five contests including beating UFC and Bellator veteran, Roger Huerta.
The two will battle in front of a pro-Khan crowd as they fight in his home country of Singapore.
Shamil Zavurov vs. Mansour Barnaoui
Road FC 52
Feb. 23
Seoul, South Korea
PFL isn’t the only organization holding a tournament and awarding their champion with a million dollars. South Korean organization Road FC will also be moving a fighter into a higher tax bracket with their hefty seven-digit prize. Former M-1 Global champions Shamil Zavurov and Mansour Barnaoui face off in the finals of the lightweight tournament.
Zavurov is the cousin of UFC champion Khabib Nurmamgomedov but reminds me more of Tyron Woodley. The Russian is great at closing the distance with furious strikes or blast double legs takedowns. His arsenal also contains excellent chopping leg kicks.
Barnaoui will likely welcome Zavurov’s blitzes because he loves to fight in the pocket. He has a strong clinch game, where he works the body and head with crushing knees. If the fight stays on the outside, Barnaoui will use his granite chin to walk through punches and overwhelm his adversary with superior hand speed. If the fight hits the mat, he’s at his best. The Frenchman has good sweeps and a great ability to take his opponents back to set up his signature rear naked choke submission.
Of every fight on this list, this one might be my favorite because both fighters bring constant action.
Jan Blachowicz vs. Thiago Santos
UFC on ESPN + 3
Feb. 23
Prague, Czech Republic
Here is another fight that many won’t consider under the radar based on it being the main event of a UFC card. However, with the organization holding four events in the month of February, this slugfest won’t get as much press as it should. This is one of the fights on the list with a great chance of delivering a knockout as these light heavyweights are known for their striking prowess.
Blachowicz is a former Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki light heavyweight champion and a three-time KSW tournament champion. Though he only holds a 6-4 UFC record, the Polish fighter has been red hot winning his last four contests. During the stretch, Blachowicz showed off his continually improving grappling with submission wins over Devin Clark and Nikita Krylov. Prior to his win over Krylov, he went to war with Jimi Manuwa in a back and forth contest, which was on the short list of Fight of the Year candidates.
Speaking of Manuwa, Santos also had an incredible bout with him. The two slugged it out before the Brazilian scored a second-round TKO. The win was the third straight for Santos, and his seventh out of his last eight contests. “Marreta” is undefeated since moving up to light heavyweight and is the last person to defeat Anthony Smith, who is challenging Jon Jones for the title at UFC 235.
With both fighters ranked in the top 10 of the Sherdog light heavyweight rankings, the winner could make a strong claim to face the winner of Jones vs. Smith with an impressive victory.
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